Manufacture of cuprammonium rayon



May 9, 1939. F. .1. sAMERDYKE MANUFACTURE OF CUPRAMMONIUM RAYON Filed oct. 13, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Gttorneg May 9, 1939. F. J. SAMERDYKE f 2,157,148

MANUFACTURE OF CUPRAMMONIUM RAYON 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 15, 1936 5 mventor FRE@ J. .S'AMERDVKE Gttomeg May 9, 1939. F. J. SAMERDYKE MANUFACTURE 0F CUPRAMMONIUM RAYON Filed oct. 13, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 (morneJ Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE MANUFAUPUBE 0F CUPRAMMONIUM RAYON Fred J. Samerdyke, Rocky River, Ohio, assignor tolndlilt rial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland,

5 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of artiiicial silk'thread, and, more particularly, to an improved method of manufacturing cuprammonium rayon by the so-called flaw stretch spinning system.

In the ilaw stretch spinning system of manufacturing cuprammonium rayon, the thread is formed in a spinning funnel. The cuprammonium spinning solution from which the thread is to be formed is extruded toward the top of the funnel, the newly formed thread. together with the precipitating liquid, passing downward through the funnel and out at the bottom thereof. 'Ihe precipitating liquid is ordinarily a mild precipitant, often only water, that but partly solidifies the thread, which, being plastic, is stretched by the pull of the column of precipitating liquid as it passes downward through the funnel. In conventional methods of manufacturing cuprammonium rayon by the flaw stretch spinning system, an additional stretchingeflect is usually imparted to thethread by means of a collecting device driven so as to take up the thread at an increased speed. Due to the considerable stretching which may thus be imparted to the partly solidified thread, its length may be considerably 1ncreased and its diameter greatly reduced. The iiaw stretch spinning system of manufacturing cuprammonium rayon is widely used in part because it is possible to obtain very fine filaments by means of spinnerets having relatively large spinning holes and in part because desirable physical characteristics are thereby imparted to the thread.

After the thread has been stretched, it is necessary to complete its solidication. This may be accomplished by subjecting the thread to the action of a suitable hardening liquid, which may be either acid or alkaline, depending upon the characteristics which it is desired to impart to the thread. In conventional practice, the hard ening liquid is often applied byl passing Pthe thread on its way to the collecting device through a gutter or channel in which a hardening liquid is allowed to drip onto the thread. The hardenn ing liquid is sometimes applied to the thread by rotating the collecting` device, for example, the spool or swift on which the thread is collected in package form, in a bath of the hardening liquid.

It is also necessary to remove the copper compounds present in the thread. In conventional practice, the treatment employed to decopperize the thread varies somewhat according to whether an acid or an alkaline hardening liquid is used to solidify the thread. When the final hardening (CL 18--8i of the thread takes place in a package rotating in an acid bath, a great deal of the copper is removed thereby. However, in a process in which an alkaline hardening liquid is used, this is not the case; instead. the copper compounds which remain in the thread must be removed by a separate decopperizing operation. In conventional processes, the packages in which the thread has been llected, l. e.. skeins, pot-spun cakes and spool-spun packages, are treated with a solution of dilute sulphuric or hydrochloric acid, such packages being generally stored in racks while the acid is caused to drip down on them. After the decopperizing step, a thorough washing treatment is required to remove the last vestiges of acid from the thread, after which the packages are dried, usually by placing them in suitable racks which are passed through dryers.

It can be seen, therefore, thatin the manufacture of cuprammonium rayon by the flaw stretch spinning process several processing treatments are necessary, since it is necessary at the very least to partly solidify the thread, stretch it, complete its solidiflcation, and decopperize it. As is apparent from the above discussion, various disadvantages arise in the conventional methods of manufacturing cuprammonium rayon by the flaw stretch spinning system. For instance, it is diiiicult to treat the thread uniformly, since most, if not all, the treatments are applied thereto while the thread ls in package form, which results in the production oi thread which possesses non-uniform physical characteristics. Furthermore, in conventional practice, the various treatments necessitate considerable handling of the thread, as well as considerable apparatus to treat the thread while it is so wound in package form.

According to the present invention, the thread, after leaving the spinning funnel, passes to one or more thread-advancing thread store devices by means of which the thread is continuously temporarily stored in generally helical form, in which form the thread or the like may be subjected to the desired processing treatment.

In the drawings. in which several embodiments of the invention are shown, Figure l is a sectional elevation from line I-i of Figure 2 of one form of apparatus embodying the invention. Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof. Figure 3 is a sectional elevation along line 3 3 of Figure 4 ci' form of thread-advancing thread store device which may be employed in the present invention. Figure 4 is an end elevation of the device of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a sectional elevation from line 5 5 of Figure 6 of another form of apparatus embodying the invention. Figure 6 is a front elevation of the apparatus of Figure 5. Figure 'I is a plan from line 'I-'I of Figure 5 of the apparatus thereof. Figure 8 is a sectional elevation along line B--ll of Figure 9 of a third form of apparatus embodying the invention. `igure 9 is a corresponding front elevation. In the drawings, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout.

For convenience, the invention is described as applied to the manufacture of multiple filament cuprammonium rayon. although it is obvious that it may to equal advantage be applied to the manufacture of other articles, such as staple ber.

artificial horsehair, etc.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures l and 2 comprises a plurality of threadproducing units disposed at spaced intervals longitudinally oi the apparatus. In each of such units, the thread I is formed in the usual manner in a spinning funnel 2 and, together with a stream oi precipitating liquid, leaves the spinning funnel 2 at the bottom thereof, passing to the irst of a plurality of thread-advancing thread store devices oi' which three, bearing the reference numerals 3, 4 and 5, are shown. On each of such thread-advancing thread store devices the thread is stored in a large number of advanclng generally helical turns. 'I'he desired treatments are applied to the thread while it is stored on said devices, after which the thread is collected in the spinning pot 6.

While various forms of thread-advancing thread store devices may be used, thread-advancing reels of the type shown in Figures 3 and 4 may be employed to advantage.y The device of these ilgures comprises a form of winding reel on which, during rotation thereof, the thread is caused to wind and positively advance lengthwise of the reel in the form of a large number of substantially helical turns. The particular reel shown comprises two rigid, generally cylindrical reel members 'I and 8 which are so formed and mounted as to occupy substantially the same space. Rigid member 1, which may be termed the concentric member, is mounted concentrically upon and for rotation with a drive shaft 9 and has a periphery made up of a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending bar members lli. Rigid reel member 8, which may be termed the eccentric member, is rotatably mounted with its axis oiiset from and askew to the axis of rotation of reel member 'I, and consequently to the axis of the drive shaft 9. The periphery of reel member Il comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending bar members I2 which are equal in number to and alternately disposed between bar members I D of reel member 1.

In the particular construction shown, concentric reel member 'I is integrally formed and mounted on the projecting end of drive shaft 9 which is journaled in frame member I3. The eccentric reel member il is comprised of an integral cage-like member I4 which includes the bar members I2 oi' eccentric reel member I. an internal reinforcing ring I 5 fixed to the outer ends of bar members I2, and anexternal reinforcing ring IB fixed to the bar members I2 at the other end thereof. The cage-like member Il is rigidly mounted on an annular supporting member I'I which is journaled in the desired oifset and askew position on frame member I3.

In the operation oi' the reel the drive shaft I is rotated by suitable driving means. Concentric reel member I fixed to drive shaft l rotates therewith, whereupon contact of the bar members Ill of concentric reel member 'i with bar members I2 of eccentric reel member 8 causes the latter reel member to rotate at the same angular speed. The rotation of the reel causes the thread to wind thereon, the oset relationship of the reel members causing the thread to transfer from one reel member to the other, while the askew relationship of the reel members causes the thread to positively advance axially oi the reel in a plurality of spaced, generally helical turns. Inasmuch as the peripheries of the two generally cylindrical reel members intersect. the reel is self-threading; that is, in the operation of threading up the reel it is merely necessary to start the leading end of the thread on the reel. since the leading end of the thread when brought into contact with the rotating reel is necessarily carried around both reel members. This reel is of the general type shown, described, and claimed in copending application Serial No. 652,089, to which reference may be had. if desired, for a more complete description of the principle of operation.

The reels illustratedA are of cantilever form; that is, they are supported and driven from one end only, the other end being free and unobstructed by any supporting or driving means.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the reels in each thread-producing unit are disposed in an arrangement in which avantage is taken of the benefits of the cantilever construction of the reel. As can be seen from these gures. the reels are disposed in a horizontal bank with their axes parallel to each other, the reels being so arranged with respect to each. other that the thread leaving the free or discharge end of the preceding reel passes substantially at right angles to the axes of rotation of the reels directly to the supported end of the succeeding reel. As a resuit, after the thread is applied to the supported end of the reel, it is caused by the self-threading operation to advance axially of the reel to the free end thereof, from which it is discharged. It is then a simple matter to pass the leading end of the thread to the supported end of the succeeding reel, along which Athe thread is likewise caused to advance until it reaches the free end of the reel, such operation being repeated for all succeeding reels. The reels are driven from a drive shaft I9 contained in a housing Il on which the reels are mounted in the desired relation to each other.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the spinning funnel is so disposed that the thread passes directly to the rst reel l which, in order to stretch the still plastic thread leaving the spinning i'unnel, may be rotated at a peripheral speed substantially greater than the linear speed of extrusion of the thread. Since a relatively long length of-thread may be stored on the reel and since the precipitating liquid discharged from the spinning funnel with the thread may come in contact with' the thread stored on the reel. it is apparent that the thread on reel 3 may be subjected to the action ot the precipitant for a much longer period than is possible in conventional practice. in which case the thread, before passing to reel l, may be substantially completely coagulated and hardened solely by the precipitaht supplied to the spinning funnel 2. On reel l, the thread may be subjected to the action of an acid solution which will decopperize the thread and, if necessary. further arden it.

During the hardening an decopperizing treatments, the thread becomes deated; that is. it

becomes somewhat smaller in diameter and increases somewhat in length. 'Provision may be made in the various embodiments of the invention for such deflation of the thread. Thus, in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, either or both of reels 2 and l may have their thread-bearing peripheries so formed that the diameters thereof increase somewhat as the thread progresses axially of the reel. If desired, reel I may be driven at a peripheral speed greater by a suitable amount than the peripheral speed of reel 3. A combination of these means may also be employed. In the illustrated apparatus. the reel d is so tapered as to increase in diameter from the supported end, at which the thread start-s on the reel, to the free or discharge end of the reel. The thread may be washed on reel 5 before being passed to the eollecting device. i

Various means may be provided to subject the thread stored on the reels to processing liquids. In the embodiment illustrated, the processing liquids are applied on reels I and 5 by means of suitable reagent distributors 2| disposed above the reels, from which distributors the liquid is showered down onto the reels below. The reagent distributors 2| may be supported and supplied with processing liquid by means of suitable pipes 22 which communicate with suitable supply pipes 23 extending longitudinally of the apparatus and supplying the reagent distributors for corresponding reels in all of the processing units spaced longitudinally of ,the machine. The processing liquids leaving the reels may be collected in suitable troughs 24 disposed below the reels which may, as in the illustrated apparatus, extend longitudinally of the machine below the corresponding reels in adjacent processing units. The troughs provided below each of the reels 3, 5 and 5 may be similar and may communicate with the sewer or, if desired, with suitable recovery or makeup systems to enable the processing liquids to be re-used.

The collecting device provided for each threadproducing unit in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a conventional spinning pot disposed in chamber 2B and provided with guide funnel 26, in which spinning pot the threadmay be collected in a completely hardened, decopperized, and washed condition.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 5, 8 and 'I also comprises a plurality ci thread-producing units disposed at intervals longitudinally of the machine, in each of which units the thread I is formed in spinning funnel 2 and passes downwardly through guide I0 to the first of the two reels 3| and 32, on which it is subjected to suitable processing treatment before being collected by suitable means such as a swift It. The reels I! and 32 in each unit are shown as being disposed with their axes parallel in an arrangement similar to that of the previous embodiment, in which arrangement the thread leaving the free end of the preceding reel passes directly to the supported end of the succeeding reel. In this embodiment of the invention, the precipitating liquid discharged from the funnel 2 is collected in a trough 34 extending longitudinally of the machine and serving the spinning tunnels in the adjacent processing units disposed at intervals longitudinally of the machine, as shown inFigure 6. The first reel 3i may be driven so that its peripheral speed is substantially higher than the speed of extrusion oi' I parted to the thread by the action oi the liquid in the spinning funnel.

The hardening of the still plastic thread may be effected by subjecting the thread to the action of a suitable processing liquid while it is stored on reel 3i; while on reel 32 provision may be made for applying two different processing treatments, which may be, for example, the application of an acid solution for decopperizing the thread and the application of a liquid for washing the thread. If desired, the reels 32 may be ared as shown to compensate for deiiation of the thread; furthermore, as shown in Figure "l, these reels may be of somewhat greater length than those on which but a single processing treatment is administered. Various means may be employed to apply the processing liquids to the thread stored on the reel. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and '7. processing liquid is shown as applied to the thread from suitable reagent distributors disposed above the reel. Thus the hardening liquid is applied to the thread stored on reel 3| from a reagent distributar 35 supported above the reel and supplied by a pipe 36 communicating with a main supply conduit 31 extending longitudinally of the machine and serving corresponding reels ln adjacent thread-producing units. The liquid leaving each reel 3i is collected in a trough 38 extending longitudinally of the machine beneath the corresponding reels in adjacent thread-producing units, which trough 38 may communicate by suitable means, not shown, with a sewer or with suitable recovery or make-up systems.

The means shown for applying the two processing liquids on reel 32 comprise reagent distributors 39 and lil supported in the desired positions above reel 32 and supplied by the corresponding pipes 4I and I2 which communicate with the corresponding supply conduits 43 and I4 extending longitudinally of the machine and serving the corresponding reagent distributors in adjacent thread-producing units. One form of collecting trough which may be employed to collect the processing liquids leaving reel 32 is illustrated, being shown to particular advantage in Figure 7. The trough 46 is provided with a suitably shaped partition Il which divides the trough longitudinally thereof into two portions 43 and I9, as shown in Figure '7, to prevent intermingling of the two processing liquids applied on each reel 32 in the illustrated embodiment. The design of trough shown provides passages lengthwise of the trough to permit the liquids applied to iiow lengthwise of the trough to suitable points, from which the liquids may drain to sewers or be passed to suitable recovery or make-up systems. The swift 33, which is illustrated as comprising the collecting device and traverse guide ED therefor, may be actuated by any suitable means.

Whereas in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 and Figures 5 to '1. inclusive, the thread is collected while wet, in the embodiment of Figures 8 and 9 provision is made for the continuous drying of the thread as it is produced, making it possible to collect the thread in a dry and nnished state. This embodiment of the invention makes use of a plurality of thread-producing units disposed at intervals longitudinally of the apparatus. In each thread-producing unit, the thread I from the spinning funnel 2 passes in sequence over each of a plurality of threadadvancing reels of the previously described type, on which reels the thread is subjected to the desired processing treatments. While any number of reels may be used, depending on the number of processing treatments to which it is desired to subject the thread, live reels, bearing refer- 6 ence numerals 52 to 56, inclusive, are shown.

The reels may be disposed in various arrangements; in that shown, the reels are disposed in vertical processing sequence withtheir axes parallel to each other but inclined to the vertical.

l The reels are so disposed with respect to each other that thread leaving the free end of a preceding reel passes therefrom at right angles to the axis of rotation of said reel to the supported end of the succeeding reel at right angles to its axis of rotation, as shown in Figure 8. With this arrangement of reels with respect to each other, which is generally similar to the arrangement of reels shown in the preceding embodiments, advantages ail'orded by the cantilever construction I) of the reels are realized. The arrangement of reels in vertical processing sequence is also of benefit since it makes possible a very compact machine, resulting in economy of floor space, and since such an arrangement of reels provides il accessibility to the reels and great operating convenience.

The reels may be driven in various ways. In that shown, corresponding reels in adjacent thread-producing units are driven by means of I0 gears 51 and 58 from horizontal drive shafts 59 extending longitudinally of the machine. Each drive shaft 59 for a horizontal series of reels is driven from the vertical drive shaft 6i which may be disposed at one end of the machine.

From the vertical drive shaft 6I, through suitable gear mechanism, may be driven the drive shaft B2 from which are driven the spinning pumps 6l for the spinning funnels 2.

The thread from the spinning funnel 2 passes u to reel 52 on which, as shown, no processing treatment may be applied, in which case reel 52 will simply provide a period for furthering the coagulation of the thread, since the precipitant discharged from the lower end of funnel 2 may u be showered on the thread stored on this reel. Hardening liquid may be applied to the thread stored on reel 53 to complete the solidincation of the thread. To impart a greater stretching effect to the thread than that provided by the ow w oi' liquid through the spinning funnel, reel 52 may be rotated so that its peripheral speed is substantially greater than the speed of extrusion of the thread in the spinning funnel, while, if desired, an additional stretching effect may be 55 imparted in the thread before it is completely solidiiied by rotating reel 53 at a peripheral speed greater than the peripheral speed of reel 52. 0n reel Il an acid solution for decopperizing the thread may be applied, while on reel 55 washing w liquid may be applied.

The means shown in the illustrated embodiment for applying the processing liquids to the thread stored on the reels 53 to 55, inclusive, comprises a reagent distributing pipe 64 disposed 65 above each reel and communicating with a supply conduit 65 which may extend longitudinally of the machine and serve like reels in adjacent thread-producing units. The liquidleaving each wet processing reel may be collected by suitable 70 troughs, such as the troughs 66 shown, which may extend longitudinally of the machine and serve like reels in adjacent thread-producing units. 'I'he illustrated troughs 66 are suitably formed to collect the processing liquid and are 75 provided with inwardly extending portions 61 to provide for the passage of the thread from the upper reels to the succeeding lower reels.

In the apparatus shown, the means for drying each thread comprises a'reel 56 on which the thread is stored while being dried. While the 5 thread stored on the reel may be dried in various ways, in the apparatus illustrated each reel is disposed in a chamber 68 to which is supplied drying medium. such as heated air, through duct B9 which communicates with suitable means l0 for supplying the drying medium. Each drying chamber 68 may be provided with a suitable door 1li to allow access to the reel in the chamber. After being dried, the thread may be collected by suitable means, which, in the illustrated appail ratus, comprises cap-twisting apparatus which may be actuated by suitable means.

By means of the present invention, various modiiled processes of manufacturing cuprammonium rayon according to the ow stretch spinning system may be performed. For instance, it is known that high strength cuprammonium rayon 'may be produced by a process in which the thread is stretched in a spinning funnel while still plastic, subjected to a considerable stretching outside the spinning funnel, and subjected to a hardening liquid before being collected. Such thread may be advantageously produced according to the present invention. 'I'hus the thread may be Withdrawn from the spinning 3 funnel by a rotary drawing device driven at a suitable peripheral speed which is, however, higher than the speed of extrusion of the thread. The drawing device may comprise a godet wheel, thread-advancing reel of the type described, from which the thread may pass to a thread-advancing reel driven at a suitable peripheral speed higher than that of the preceding drawing device to stretch the thread. On the latter reel the thread may be efllciently subjected to the action *40 of a hardening liquid while being stored in a large number of generally helical turns. Obviously, all of the illustrated embodiments of the invention are capable of performing the aboveoutlined steps.

Another method which may be employed is similar to the above, but requires that the thread be subjected to the hardening liquid while under tension. This may readily be accomplished according to the present invention in a manner similar to that described above by providing suitable dift'erences in the peripheral speeds of the drawing device and the reel on which the thread is subjected to the hardening liquid. If desired,

additional tension may be imparted to the thread while it is being hardened by tapering the reel in such manner that the diameter increases as the thread advances lengthwise of the reel, as is shown in case of reel 53 of the embodiment of Figures 8 and 9. 60

Cuprammonium rayon of high tensile strength and high elasticity may be manufactured by a process in which the thread is stretched while still plastic, allowed to shrink while still plastic, and thereafter treated with a hardening liquid. 05 Such thread may be readily produced ny means of the present invention, since, as previously mentioned, the thread may be withdrawn from the spinning funnel by a suitable drawing device, such as a reel of the type described.` positively driven at a peripheral speed great enough .to impart the desired stretching effect to the thread whileit is still plastic, after which the thread may be passed to a succeeding threadadvancing reel rotatingat a peripheral speed Asucceeding thread-advancing reel the thread may be subjectedto the hardening liquid while it is stored in a large number oi generally helical turns.

It is apparent that by means of the present invention thread may be produced according to processes other than those above described. For instance, it is possible to draw the thread from the spinning funnel, stretch it while it is still plastic, subject the thread while stored on a reel to the action of a hardening liquid to solidify the thread still further, and, while it is still somewhat plastic, subject it to another stretching operation by means of another reel, driven at a peripheral speed greater than that of the preceding reel, on which the thread may be further subjected to the action oi hardening liquid to cause the complete solidification of the thread. Furthermore, in certain of the above processes it is desirable that the thread `be collected under a reduced tension. According to the present invention, this can readily be accomplished by providing a take-up speed of the collecting device which is suitably less than the peripheral speed at the discharge end of the reel preceding it.

From this description of several illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is apparent that the present invention makes possible the production oi cuprainmonium rayon according to the flow stretch spinning system in manners which possess numerous advantages over conventional methods of producing such thread. Thus, by means of the present invention the thread may be produced more rapidly than by conventional methods, since it can not only be more rapidly and thoroughly processed, due to the fact that the thread is subjected to processing treatment in the form o! a single winding making it possible for the liquid to reach all parts of the thread, but because a much greater length oi' thread may be subjected to processing treatment than is possible according to conventional methods. Furthermore, by means oi' the present invention the thread can be more thoroughly and uniformly processed than by conventional methods, since the processing media may reach all parts of the thread while a relatively great length thereoi is temporarily stored in compact form, making it possible for each increment oi' the thread to receive identical processing treatment, and since a high degree of control over the processing treatments is made possible due to the fact that only a small volume oi' each processlng medium is being applied to the thread at any given time.

Marked advantages of the invention furthermore arise from the fact that dlilerent processing media may be applied to the thread when it is stored on diierent devices, making it possible to keep such media entirely separate. This is particularly advantageous in cases where two successive processing treatments require the employment of media which should not be permitted to intermix because of the contamination of each which would result. in which the cuprammonium rayon produced by the dow stretch spinning process is hardened by an alkaline liquid, which is often desirable because of the properties, such as subdued luster. etc., imparted to the thread, it is necessary to subsequently decopperize the thread by means of an acid solution. Obviously, any intermixing o f these liquids would be undesirable. However, by

-As an example, in the case means oi the present invention it is possible to continuously subject the thread to such liquids on entirely ditlerent thread-advancing thread store devices, thus making it possible to keep such liquids entirely separate.

As indicated, the embodiments of the invention shown are purely illustrative. Various other embodiments of the invention may be devised and various modifications may be made in the embodiments herein shown without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus in 'each of the illustrated embodiments, a different type of collecting device may be provided. Furthermore, various processing treatments other than, or in addition to, those indicated may be applied to the thread without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the thread may be continuously subjected to such treatments as bleaching, oiling, etc., while stored by means of thread-advancing thread store devices according tov this invention. The term "artificial silk thread in the appended claims is intended to include, besides thread, such articles as staple ilbre, artificial horsehair, artificial straw, etc.

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty reside in the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In the manufacture of cuprammonium artiiicial silk thread, improved flow stretch spinning apparatus of the typeV conventionally employed comprising a spinning funnel in which the thread is formed, partially solidified and stretched; a self-threading, thread-advancing thread store device disposed below said spinning funnel to the receiving end of which the thread proceeds from said spinning funnel and toward the discharge end of which the thread is positively advanced in a. large number of closely spaced, generally helical turns; means for applying a processing liquid to the thread while stored on said thread store device; and moist-thread collecting means to which the thread proceeds from the discharge end of said thread store device.

2. In the manufacture of cuprammonium artificial silk thread by the flow stretch spinning system, the steps of forming, partly solidifying, and stretching the thread in a spinning funnel; passing the partly solidified thread to a rotating thread-advancing thread store device on which the thread is continuously but temporarily advanced in a large number of closely spaced, generally helical turns; completing the solidiiication cf the thread while it is being advanced in helical form on said thread-advancing thread store device; and collecting the thread.

3. In the manufacture of cuprammonium artificial silk thread by the iiow stretch spinning system, the steps of forming, partly solidifying and stretching the thread in a spinning funnel; passing the partly solidified thread to a rotating thread-advancing thread storeV device on which the thread is continuously but temporarily advanced in a large number of closely spaced, generally helicaln turns; completing the solidliication oi the thread while it is being advanced in helical form on said thread-advancing thread store device; and collecting the thread while it is still in the moist condition.

4. In the manufacture of cuprammonium artificial silk thread bythe flow stretch spinning system, the steps of iorming, partly solidifying and stretching the thread in a spinning funnel;

passing the partly solidified thread to a ilrst rotating thread-advancing threadstore device on which the thread is continuously but temporarily advanced in a large number o! closely spaced, generally helical turns; applying an alkaline liquid to the thread to complete the solidiflcation of the thread while it is being advanced in helical form on said thread store device; passing the thread to a second rotating thread-advancing thread store device on which the thread is continuously but temporarily advanced in a large number oi' closely spaced, generally helical turns; applying an acid decopperizing liquid to the thread while it is being advanced in helical form on said second thread store device; and collecting the thread.

5. In the manufacture of cuprammonium artitlcial silk thread, improved dow stretch spinning apparatus of the type conventionally employed comprising a spinning funnel in which the thread is formed. partially solidied and stretched; a plurality oi' self-threading, thread-advancing thread store devices disposed below said spinning funnel to the rst of which the thread proceeds from said spinning funnel. over the surface o! each of which the thread is positively advanced in a large number of closely spaced, generally helical turns, and from the last of which the thread is discharged; means for applying a processing liquid to the thread while stored on at least one of said thread store devices; and moist-thread collecting means to which the thread proceeds from the last of said thread store devices.

FRED J. SAMERDYKE.

CERTIFICATE or ccRsEcrIoN.

Patent No. 2,157,1MB.

May 9: 1959' FRED J. SAMERDYKE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page l, first column, lines h., 6, 2O and 2B, and second column, lines 20 and28, for the word flaw read flow; page 2, second column, line '50, for "avantage" read advantage; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of `the case in the Patent Office Signed and sealed this 15th day of June, A. D. 1959.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents.

passing the partly solidified thread to a ilrst rotating thread-advancing threadstore device on which the thread is continuously but temporarily advanced in a large number o! closely spaced, generally helical turns; applying an alkaline liquid to the thread to complete the solidiflcation of the thread while it is being advanced in helical form on said thread store device; passing the thread to a second rotating thread-advancing thread store device on which the thread is continuously but temporarily advanced in a large number oi' closely spaced, generally helical turns; applying an acid decopperizing liquid to the thread while it is being advanced in helical form on said second thread store device; and collecting the thread.

5. In the manufacture of cuprammonium artitlcial silk thread, improved dow stretch spinning apparatus of the type conventionally employed comprising a spinning funnel in which the thread is formed. partially solidied and stretched; a plurality oi' self-threading, thread-advancing thread store devices disposed below said spinning funnel to the rst of which the thread proceeds from said spinning funnel. over the surface o! each of which the thread is positively advanced in a large number of closely spaced, generally helical turns, and from the last of which the thread is discharged; means for applying a processing liquid to the thread while stored on at least one of said thread store devices; and moist-thread collecting means to which the thread proceeds from the last of said thread store devices.

FRED J. SAMERDYKE.

CERTIFICATE or ccRsEcrIoN.

Patent No. 2,157,1MB.

May 9: 1959' FRED J. SAMERDYKE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page l, first column, lines h., 6, 2O and 2B, and second column, lines 20 and28, for the word flaw read flow; page 2, second column, line '50, for "avantage" read advantage; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of `the case in the Patent Office Signed and sealed this 15th day of June, A. D. 1959.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

